Common name: Whitecap shrimpgoby
General information
The Whitecap Goby, Lotilia graciliosa, is a small and peaceful fish that is a favorite among nano-reef enthusiasts. Its striking white cap over a slender, pale body with a yellow tail makes it a visually appealing addition to any reef aquarium. This species is relatively rare in the wild and thus can be a bit more expensive and harder to find in the trade compared to more common gobies.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 40 liter (11 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 6 cm (2½″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Prefers stable conditions
- Symbiosis
- Yes Pairs with pistol shrimp
- Diet
- Carnivore Enjoys mysis and brine shrimp
- Social
- Pair Can be kept in pairs
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- Yes Available as captive-bred
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyGobyGobiidae
- GenusWhitecap GobyLotilia
- SpeciesWhitecap shrimpgobyLotilia graciliosa Klausewitz, 1960
Care
Whitecap Gobies are suitable for small to medium-sized aquariums due to their diminutive size, usually not exceeding 3 centimeters in length. They are not aggressive and can be kept with a variety of other peaceful fish and invertebrates. These gobies prefer aquariums with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. They are carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans and zooplankton in the aquarium.
Reproduction
In the aquarium, Lotilia graciliosa has been known to spawn successfully. They lay their eggs in small crevices or on the ceiling of caves within the live rock, where the male will guard and tend to the eggs until they hatch.
Symbiosis
An interesting aspect of the Whitecap Goby is its symbiotic relationship with pistol shrimp of the genus Alpheus. In the wild, the goby and shrimp share a burrow, with the goby acting as a lookout for predators while the shrimp maintains the burrow. This behavior can also be observed in the aquarium if both species are kept together.
Habitat
Lotilia graciliosa is found in the Western Pacific, from Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef and Micronesia. They inhabit shallow reefs and lagoons, often associating with rubble and coral outcrops where they can easily hide from predators.